CXLVIII - NHL BOG approves sale and relocation of Coyotes to Ryan Smith, league announces establishment of franchise in Utah

[Stumbledore]

I get that, and I absolutely agree that conversations on the BoH should be more serious than conversations on the main board.

Really? I didn't retire to have serious conversations. I retired to become an old fart know-it-all. And so far I'm killing it.

If I wanted to be serious, I'd still be practising and billing for my serious conversations.

 

[Tawnos]

Really? I didn't retire to have serious conversations. I retired to become an old fart know-it-all. And so far I'm killing it.

If I wanted to be serious, I'd still be practising and billing for my serious conversations.

Somehow, the conversations here have always been more serious and more humorous at the same time. It's part of why I like it here so much.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

My full expectation is that he's going to take the money and run once he loses the land auction. Needless to say, I have a less than positive impression of him.

As an outsider and casual observer, I was just coming in here to ask/say this. Who is even to say Mereulo wants to deal with the headache and substantial fees of an expansion team an the process of building a new arena. Would not surprise me in the least if he throws his hands up and walks away getting what he wanted.

 

[powerstuck]

I think the franchise deactivation will actually be important if/when Meruelo drops out. What happens then? If the NHL still wants to eventually return to Phoenix, will it simply be reactivated but with a different owner? Will the league and new owner still need to buy certain assets back from Meruelo? Or will the Coyotes franchise go from deactivated to folded, with a new franchise and new owner brought up in its place?

I think the fact that they want to leave the ashes of a franchise in Phoenix is a good sign for the NHL's return to the city. But I wonder if it makes that eventual return more complicated legally, should things with AM play out how we are all expecting them too.

It could also very much be just an easy way for the league to not piss off fans while making a promise they very well know they will never meet.

I just came back here to say a few words for real Coyotes fans that port here with whom I had years of pleasure to debate with.

Next weeks and months, maybe even years will be hard but trust me, there is a lot of beautiful hockey besides the NHL. If you are a fan of the sport, I would gladly encourage you to check it out.

This league is very good to make promises but not to make them true. Don’t get your hopes up for the “5 years” plan they talk about.

Sincerely
A hockey fan from the cold north Quebec City

 

[TheGreenTBer]

My full expectation is that he's going to take the money and run once he loses the land auction. Needless to say, I have a less than positive impression of him.

Literally what hockey fans in Arizona should br hoping for IMO.

I know you want a team but you don't want one owned by this guy.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

The Coyotes themselves are done in Arizona, forever.

Arizona might get another NHL team within a decade and very likely will within two decades. The chances of a successful team run by Alex Meruelo are slim to none, and unless those running the NHL are dumber than a rubber dildo they have put safeguards in that "right to first refusal" sale clause to give them an out if Meruelo wants in again. No person or business in Arizona should ever do business with Meruelo again.

Arizona *can* work as a NHL market and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. But it has to be done properly in order to work.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Yukon Joe]

As an outsider and casual observer, I was just coming in here to ask/say this. Who is even to say Mereulo wants to deal with the headache and substantial fees of an expansion team an the process of building a new arena. Would not surprise me in the least if he throws his hands up and walks away getting what he wanted.

So look - it's entirely possible.

But Meruelo has been at this for a number of years - both in trying to buy the Atlanta Hawks, and then with the Coyotes. I don't think he's done a good job at it but he doesn't appear to be in sports just to make a quick buck.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Why would a Yotes fan want to support the new Phoenix Roadrunners minor league version of their former team? That feels like a huge slap in the face, like at least let them affiliate with another team

The roadrunners were there before the Coyotes.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

The roadrunners were there before the Coyotes.

THERE HAS NEVER been a Phoenix based affiliate of the Coyotes..... it has been Tucson since they bought it in 2014.... LIKELY DUE TO the issues that Arizona had at Footprint, nor has there been any iteration of Phoenix wanting pro hockey

 

[Roadrage]

My full expectation is that he's going to take the money and run once he loses the land auction. Needless to say, I have a less than positive impression of him.

What if he wins by default as no one else shows up to bid? Doesn't he have like 2 years to get infrastructure in place for said district and what happens to the land if he can't/doesn't meet those obligations outlined in the auction?

 

[MaskedSonja]

Interesting, did not know that about no NTC players on yotes.
@Yukon Joe comment, didnt quote for some reason, or I prolly did it wrong lol

 

[Brodie]

So interesting almost-a-story - it was suggested on Twitter that because it's a "transfer of hockey operations", and not the franchise moving, that any Coyotes players with a no-move would be able to block their forced move to Utah.

Except of course nobody on the Yotes has a no-move clause. A few have modified no trades, but that's it

this has come up every time a team has relocated in every sport since the NMC was introduced and afaiui, it isn't really how any of it works

The roadrunners were there before the Coyotes.

not why would they support the Roadrunners in the abstract, why would they support the farm team of the franchise that was just ripped away from them

 

[GreenHornet]

THERE HAS NEVER been a Phoenix based affiliate of the Coyotes..... it has been Tucson since they bought it in 2014.... LIKELY DUE TO the issues that Arizona had at Footprint, nor has there been any iteration of Phoenix wanting pro hockey

I could be wrong, but I think he's referring to two old incarnations of the Phoenix Roadrunners -- the WHA teams in the '70s and the IHL team in the late '80s and into the '90s.

 

[cheswick]

this has come up every time a team has relocated in every sport since the NMC was introduced and afaiui, it isn't really how any of it works



not why would they support the Roadrunners in the abstract, why would they support the farm team of the franchise that was just ripped away from them

Ripped away implies something sudden and shocking, not the slow decades long saga that happened.

 

[Brodie]

Ripped away implies something sudden and shocking, not the slow decades long saga that happened.

I don't think this is how hockey fans in Phoenix perceive it and they're who really matters when it comes to fan support for the Roadrunners

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

reminder as well

this has come up every time a team has relocated in every sport since the NMC was introduced and afaiui, it isn't really how any of it works



not why would they support the Roadrunners in the abstract, why would they support the farm team of the franchise that was just ripped away from them

@Brodie....

there's no evidence that Tucson is going anywhere even as the Coyotes were transferred to Utah as has been all but approved.... that contract is in place since SEG Isn't buying both franchises which is why Tucson hasn't informed OVG, which operates TCC.... the understanding is the RR's MUST INFORM OVG to terminate the lease within 180 days... there's also KSL's report that said there will be hockey in Utah ie the ECHL Grizzlies @ Maverik Center in WVC independent of the Utah franchise playing @ Delta Center.... unless something changes in regards to that.... as the future of hockey @ Maverik was brought up.... it sounds like no change in status as of now... even if the plan to shift Tucson to Tempe happens or not....

 

[Brodie]

my understanding on this is that the Roadrunners could split the season between TCC and an arena in the Phoenix area

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

my understanding on this is that the Roadrunners could split the season between TCC and an arena in the Phoenix area

again, from what I'm understanding the arena lease is the primary issue in any relocation in state from Tucson to Mullett, which is a piece of the transaction allowing the sale/reansfer to Utah of the existing Coyotes franchise..... at last check, it was year 8 of a 10 year lease.... if they break the lease early it's a 3 M payment to OVG....who operates TCC

 

[DryIslandBartender]

THERE HAS NEVER been a Phoenix based affiliate of the Coyotes..... it has been Tucson since they bought it in 2014.... LIKELY DUE TO the issues that Arizona had at Footprint, nor has there been any iteration of Phoenix wanting pro hockey

I don’t think hockey fans in AZ care about affiliates. I would think most are snowbirds or retirees.

As a brand, the roadrunners have been there practically forever. I remember Gretzky & maybe his brother playing in an exhibition game under the roadrunners.

 

[Tawnos]

Ripped away implies something sudden and shocking, not the slow decades long saga that happened.

Up until last week, it was "we're playing in Mullett next year" at the same time as negotiation for the deactivation process was going on behind the scenes. So even if it's taken us this long to get to this point, it still makes sense that the team feels like it's being ripped away.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

I don’t think hockey fans in AZ care about affiliates. I would think most are snowbirds or retirees.

As a brand, the roadrunners have been there practically forever. I remember Gretzky & maybe his brother playing in an exhibition game under the roadrunners.

View attachment 852840

RABID fanbase in Tucson.....

 

[Puckrobber]

I read a piece of a report a few days ago that said any players that don't want to play, or live, in Utah will be accommodated through trades, etc. Figure Smith doesn't want disgruntled players half-assing it on the ice, so, he'll do what he can to make it easier.

 

[Tawnos]

I read a piece of a report a few days ago that said any players that don't want to play, or live, in Utah will be accommodated through trades, etc. Figure Smith doesn't want disgruntled players half-assing it on the ice, so, he'll do what he can to make it easier.

That would make total sense to me. He'll try to sell them on staying, but is going to try to be reasonable about it. Good PR.

 

[Fidel Astro]

I read a piece of a report a few days ago that said any players that don't want to play, or live, in Utah will be accommodated through trades, etc. Figure Smith doesn't want disgruntled players half-assing it on the ice, so, he'll do what he can to make it easier.

Maybe I missed something, but what's the issue with living in Utah? I'm assuming it's mainly just the more veteran players whose families/lives are all set up in AZ and are pissed about leaving (to anywhere)...?

...or is there something about Utah in particular that is less than desirable?

I admit I know absolutely nothing about the place aside from the usual Mormon jokes.

 

[Puckrobber]

Maybe I missed something, but what's the issue with living in Utah? I'm assuming it's mainly just the more veteran players whose families/lives are all set up in AZ and are pissed about leaving (to anywhere)...?

...or is there something about Utah in particular that is less than desirable?

I admit I know absolutely nothing about the place aside from the usual Mormon jokes.

Yeah, I'm not sure either. I've been to, and stayed in, parts of Utah. It's a lovely place, and the people are great. Sure, maybe SLC doesn't have the same wild nightlife as L.A., NYC or Las Vegas. But for the veteran players with families, or ones who enjoy a quieter lifestyle, won't be disappointed with it.